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First ever Food Safety Week in Malta
By MaltaMedia News
May 15, 2008 - 8:44:46 AM
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The first ever “Food Safety Week” is being held in Malta from the 15-22 May to raise awareness on food safety.
Food safety awareness is gaining momentum in many countries as food borne illnesses are on the rise. The risks of food contamination escalate when food products pass through several handling processes along the route of preparation (including household) and transportation, from the farm to the consumer.
Many people have experienced food poisoning after consuming food. The most common symptoms are vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fever. Others, for example, may have had the experience of an extensive sudden rash after eating a tuna sandwich. What ever the combination of symptoms, the onset may be within a matter of minutes or after a few hours or days. This depends on the causative bugs.
Food borne illnesses may cause a great deal of discomfort, work absences but rarely complications. Many of these episodes are self-limiting; others may be more severe and prolonged and may require medical attention or hospital admission. Those most vulnerable are children, the elderly, pregnant women and those suffering from chronic conditions.
The local situation is under scrutiny of the Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (DHPDP) where episodes and outbreaks of food borne illness are investigated. The greater number of food poisonings occur in the home. Food borne outbreaks are less common but might involve a large number of people (e.g. from a wedding reception).
It is estimated that in Australia 5.4 million people suffer from food poisoning, while in the UK 4.5 million suffer from similar illness each year (i.e. 1 in 10 people). Continuing research since the start of the first Food Safety Week in Australia, 10 years ago, shows that the number of Australians who recognise that hands should be washed with soap and water and dried thoroughly before handling food has gone up from 43% in 1997 to 97% in 2007. Men rate the worst in their knowledge of food hygiene and food safety principles.
Many food borne illnesses can be prevented if proper food hygiene and safety is practiced in households (including picnics and barbeques) and catering establishments (e.g. restaurants and take away!).
Safety measures are geared to reduce cross-contamination and multiplication of bacteria or their destruction: such as frequent and proper hand washing; separation of raw foods from cooked foods; cooking to the appropriate temperatures, for the right duration and to the core (adequate thawing is essential!); correct cooling and freezing of foods (maintenance of the right temperatures).
© Copyright 2008 by MaltaMedia.com
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Latest update:
May 15, 2008 - 11:31:09 AM CET
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